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Patriots' Offensive Captain Also Mulling Retirement? 'I'm Tired'

Originally posted on FanNation Patriot Maven
By Harrison Reno | Last updated 1/8/24

Maybe Bill Belichick? Perhaps Matthew Slater? And, now, could a departure from the New England Patriots also be in the works for long-time offensive captain David Andrews?

With the 17-3 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, the disastrous 4-13 season for the Patriots has finally ended. And while many of the headlines going into "Black Monday" will center around the job security of their legendary coach, Patriots owner Robert Kraft won't be the only one mulling over a decision in Foxboro.

In the immediate aftermath of Sunday's loss to the Jets, rumors started to swirl about the future of the Pats' starting center. Did the lone remaining piece of the Patriots Super Bowl LII-winning offensive line play his final snap?

“I think I still got something in the tank, but we’ll see," Andrews said following the loss when asked about retirement. "I’m tired, I’m sore. It’s been a long year. I’m going to go home, go back to Georgia. I’m going to sit on my tractor with my son, take him deer hunting, and then we’ll get back to work and see where it goes from there.”

Andrews, 31, is seemingly joining 13-time team captain Slater as a player who could call it quits on their career after a tumultuous season.

Both of whom found themselves front and center throughout the day Sunday on the Patriots' official social media accounts, as they featured on the team's "gameday" graphic, and later, a picture of the pair hugging postgame with an obviously emotional Andrews was posted.

pic.twitter.com/ImL93SEuXv
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 7, 2024

Yet, despite what many found as potential hints given by the Patriots' social media team, both veterans did not give any firm answers after Sunday's loss, much like their coach, Belichick, who didn't say much about his own future in Foxboro.

Andrews, the once 2015 undrafted free agent out of the University of Georgia, has become the Patriots' most-tenured offensive captain and has even made a case to join Slater as a future inductee into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Through his seven-year career anchoring the offensive line in Foxboro at center, Andrews has missed just 11 games while helping the Patriots win two Super Bowls.

This article first appeared on FanNation Patriot Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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